Movement in housing affordability could spell good news for first home buyers. 

Cotality NZ's Housing Affordability report for Quarter 4 2025 shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2. 

This is the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016

The Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it is still higher than the long-term national average of 6.8. 

He says the decrease is great for young people - but it would be better for it to come down even more. 

Movement in housing affordability could spell good news for first home buyers.&nbsp;
Cotality NZ's Housing Affordability report for Quarter 4 2025 shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2.&nbsp;
This is the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016
The Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it is still higher than the long-term national average of 6.8.&nbsp;
He says the decrease is great for young people - but it would be better for it to come down even more.&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager on house prices the most affordable they've been in a decade, outside of Covid

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8a864fa9-5d2a-4cee-9f1b-b409011b4a29/transcript